"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 27 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God , believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if i go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
In verse 1 Jesus after announcing Judas's betrayal in 13:21, and Peter's denial in 13:28, tells His disciples not to be "troubled" but to trust Him. The antidote for troubled hearts hers is to trust in God and let Jesus set our hearts at ease. "let not your hearts be troubled" refers to Peter, after Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord..
But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instruction about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.
Heaven is a place and the eternal hope of the believer. Scriptures describes it as a beautiful city where the redeemed will live and spend all eternity. The activities in heaven include singing (Revelation 15:3), worship (Revelation 5:9), serving (Revelation 23:3, ruling (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 22:5), fellowship with others (Matthew 17:3), and eating (Revelation 2:17).
The quality of existence in heaven is a life of fellowship with God (Revelation 22:4), a life of rest (Revelation 14:13), a life of service (Revelation 22:3). a life, of growth Revelation 22:2), and a life of worship (Revelation 19:1). The glories will only belong to those who have personally Jesus Christ for their salvation. We as Christians who are working to win souls are gathering friends who will spend eternity with them in heaven. Jesus tell us in verse 2 that there are many mansions in heaven. Mansions refer to dwelling places. Everybody has a longing for a permanent, secure place. Such places have already been set aside for all of God's children. "Wow"!!!! Does this excite you as much as it does me.
Jesus in verse 3 says, "I will come again and receive you." Peter may have failed Jesus (13:38), and we even as Christians today may stumble and fall at times but we are forgiven by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and Christ, will not fail to return for Peter, and for everyone else who has believed in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
The words of waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands inter woven to form a strong chain. Trusting in God is the central strand, because it is the response from us that God desires the most. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects us to God. Waiting for god to work, with your eyes on Him, is evidence that we really do trust and believe in God.
If we mouth the words "I trust you" while we anxiously try to make things go our way, then our words ring hallow. Hoping is future directed, connecting us to our inheritance in heaven, however the benefits of hope fall on us in the present, as we await for the Lord's Second Coming. May we as John in Revelation 22:20 say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Click on the link at www.cinddavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Isaiah 7 which is Titled: "The Book of Immanuel."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers, "BUT I CAN."
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 24 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our own image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the earth, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
We were created in both the image and likeness of God. An inage is a representation or replica of one person or thing by another. An image may be similar but not necessarily identical to its original.
The term likeness is used as a gage of comparison, or analogy. When we sinned we retained an impaired image of God. Retaining a likeness of God is one of the accomplishments of salvation. Our spiritual likeness is restored in justification. Our character likeness is being continuously developed in the process of sanctification. We will be like Christ physically when we are glorified. God's purpose in our lives today is to conform us to the image of Christ.
The reason that God values people so much is that we were made to reflect His majesty on earth to have dominion and to rule God's regent. We were to rule wisely and prudently over all that God had made. God placed mankind as living symbols of Himself on earth to represent His reign.
Today's Hymn: "Glory To His Name"
Down at the Cross where by Savior died, down where for cleansing from sin I cried
There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to His Name!
Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name
There to my heart was the blood applied, Glory to his Name
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, as we live our lives here on this planet that You have made which is out temporary home, help us to conform to the image of Christ in everything the we say and do. May Your light that is within us, shine out to a dark and sinful world that we might bring others to You. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "God has shared His own image with you."
Click on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading for Isaiah 6 which is Titled: "Isaiah Called To Be A Prophet."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
Your Sister in Christ.
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 10 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verses:
Psalm 48:9 "We have thought, O God, on your loving kindness, In the midst of Your temple."
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."
These two verses are telling us a Christians that if we delight in serving God, and spend time "soaking" in His Presence we will be energized and enlightened. Through prayer and supplication we can transfer our heavy burdens to God's strong and able shoulders. By focusing on Jesus we gain His perspective on our life.
Quite Time where you can spend time alone with God is essential for unscrambling our thoughts and smoothing out the day that we embark on daily. Be willing to fight for this precious Quite Time with God. Opposition will come in many forms: your own desire to linger in bed; the evils ones determination to distract you from your Quite Time with God; the pressure of family and friends, and your own inner circle wanting you to spend more time with them and less time with God.
We as Christians need to grow and have a strong desire to please God above all else. By doing so we gain strength to resist the opponents who seek to have us focus not on God but on the things of this world. We as Christians need to delight ourselves in God, for God should, and always be, the deepest desire of our hearts in all our activities.
Today's Hymn: "He Leadest Me"
He leadest me, O blessed thought! O words of heavenly comfort fraught!
Whatever I do, wherever I be, Still it is God that leadest me
For by His hand, He leadeth me
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, help us Holy Spirit today and everyday to delight in Your Loving Presence. Help us to have the disciple to develop a Quite Time where we can come to You and spend quality time with You in Your Word and in Prayer. Each Abba Father We will seek our Your abundant blessing as we sing continued praise that glories and honors Your Holy Name. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "When the righteous have desires that spring from the Lord, the Lord will surely fulfill those desires."
Click on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Isaiah 4 which is Titled: "Jerusalem's Glorious Future."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 9 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4,5 "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."
The fundamental concept of the Shema (the name of the passage, which is the first word in Hebrew: Hear!) is that God is One and not many god's. By definition, there can be only one supreme, absolute, perfect, infinite, limitless God. To speak of more than one supreme, absolute, perfect, and Almighty Being is to say something contradictory. There cannot be two absolutes, for then there would be no absolute. By revelation, we know that only YAHWEH is that One God. Therefore nothing in your life should ever come between you and the Almighty God.
Moses repeatedly exhorted the Israelites to respond to God's love and devotion. In this context, the word "love", translated may mean "to take ones choice in." God commanded His people to choose Him with all their being, and in the process to deny all other supposed deities. Complete love for our Abba Father should not be a duty, but a daily desire to have His arms wrapped around us and showering us with His Love, His Care, and His NEVER ENDING Grace.
Today's Hymn: "Child of the King"
My Father is rich in houses and lands, He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of Rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full, He has riches untold
I'm a child of the King, a child of the King, With Jesus as my Savior, I'm a child of the King
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are Abba Father to be a child of the King. hank you Heavenly Father for Your compassion, love and mercy that You give to us. May we as Your children love you more each day and fine a total and complete peace and rest in You. Amen
Click on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Scripture Reading from Isaiah 3 which is Titled: "Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem".
Every word of God is pure: He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him." Proverbs 30:5
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 6 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: John 17:16-19 "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they may also be sanctified by the truth."
Sanctify means, "to set apart." There are two ways that we as Christians can understand this statement: (1) as separate for holiness, or (2) set apart for service. According to the first view, Jesus was praying not only that the disciples should be kept from evil, but that they should be advanced in holiness. However in verse 18, sanctification seems to refer to the mission of the disciples, indicating that sanctify may also mean that Jesus was setting apart His disciples for this.
"Your word of truth," is a strong statement of the confidence of Jesus in the veracity of Scripture. Peoples opinions may vary, and experiences are notoriously untrustworthy, but God's Word will always throughout eternity remain true.
When applied in Scripture the term "inerrancy" means, "that what God revealed and inspired is accurate, reliable, authoritative, and without error." Since all Scripture is inspired, every Word of God is true. Just as a book often reflects the character of its writer, so the Scripture is without error, because God is without fault.
Jesus upheld the principle of inerrancy when He preached in Nazareth. While in the temple, Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, but he carefully stopped reading in the middle of a verse before announcing the fulfillment of Scripture that day (Luke 4:18-19). The rest of that passage from Isaiah will be fulfilled at His Second Coming. As we as Christians, read the Scriptures, we can have total confidence in the reliability, and accuracy of the Word of God.
God's way is not to take us out of this world, but to take the world out of us. The Greek word "hagiazo" means, to set a person apart from sin and from evil, so that we, as His children might glorify Him.
Today's Hymn: "It Is No Secret What God can Do"
The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through, someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew. Do not be disheartened, I have news for you.
It is no secret what God can do, what He's done for others, He'll do for you
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you, it is no secret what God can do
Heavenly father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are Lord that when we came to You and became a child of the King, that Holy Spirit replaced the things of the world in our life's and replace it with doing things for Jesus and seeking to bring to You the lost out of darkness into the light. As we read Thy Word may You open our minds and our understanding to what we read and may we apply Thy Word to our Hearts that we might not sin against Thee. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The ultimate reason for believers to know the love of God, is so that God's Love may replicated in them, thus drawing the entire world to Christ."
Clink on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Isaiah 2:1-22 which is Titled: "The Day of the LORD."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth." Psalm 57:11
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 3 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, mediate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the god of peace will be with you."
Paul in verse 8 tells us that we need to mediate, which implies a concentrated focused effort. It reminds us that we are to keep on stressing those things which share the qualities that Paul lists in verse 8: "the true" which is reliable and honest, "the noble or worthy of respect" which conforms to God's standards and merits approval, "the pure" which is moral and chaste, "the lovely" which is pleasing and agreeable, "the admirable" which is worthy of praise.
"Learned" in verse 9 conveys not only the concept of "increasing in intellectual knowledge" but also the idea of "learning by habitual practice." God's truth is to be communicated as concepts learned, received, and heard. But to be perceived as reality than philosophy, truth must be "seen in" the teacher. When truth is communicated in words by those who model the lived meanings of those words, then and only then are likely to be "put into practice." Only when we as Christians put God's truth into practice will we sense the God of peace with us.
As Christians our needs and God's richest are a perfect fit. We were never meant to be self sufficient. God has designed us to need Him not only for our daily bread, but also for our deep fulfillment and yearning for God. God has carefully crafted our longings and feelings of incompleteness, to point us his children, to Him.
We as Christians should not try to bury or deny our feelings. We are to beware of trying to pacify these longings with lesser gods; people, possessions, and power. We as believers need to come to God in all our needs, with defenses down and a heart felt desire to be blessed.
As we spend time in prayer and in God's Presence, our deepest longings and desires are filled. In Philippians 6 and 7 we are told how to obtain God's peace and verses 8 and 9 tell us how to keep it. In order for us to keep God's peace we must keep our minds occupied with the right things and then busy ourselves with the right activities.
Today's Hymn: "Jesus Paid It All" (Verse 1)
I hear the savior say, 'thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me, thine all in all."
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, as we live our lives for You, may we as Christians give to You all of our best in serving You and reaching out to those that are in need of Your Loving and Saving Grace. May we keep our minds focused on You, and may we in our everyday walk be able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Holy Spirit strengthen us with the power from on high.
Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "Out of His abundant wealth, God will more than amply take care of us His children."
Click on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Isaiah 1 which is Titled: "Red Like Scarlett, White As Snow."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters that are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"Uphold my steps in your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." Psalm 17:5
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 January 2012"
Today's Bible Verse: Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law."
The word fruit is significant for three reasons: (1) It means the result, product, outcome or effect produced by the Spirit in the believers life. (2) Unlike "the gifts of the Spirit," only which some is given to a Christian, each believer is to have all nine virtues composing "the fruit of the Spirit." (3) As fruit on a tree takes times to grow and mature, so the Spirit does not cultivate these virtues in the believers life overnight.
The fruit of the Spirit are (1) LOVE, which is the willing sacrificial giving of ones self fro the benefit of another without the thought of return (2) JOY, is the gladness of heart. (3) PEACE, is tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear (4) LONGSUFFERING, is patience with others, the opposite of a short tempter, a disposition quietly bearing injury (the Spirit is working overtime on me with this one) (5) GENTLENESS, is kindness (6) GOODNESS, is generosity (7) FAITH, is dependability (8) MEEKNESS, is gentleness, that is courtesy and consideration in ones relationship with others (9) TEMPERANCE, is self control, that is, the ability to harness and control ones passions and lusts.
The Spirit is like an engine. He provide energy for the new nature, which drives the converted in he opposite direction from the sin nature. His works are too, are obvious, for the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in the believers personality. In contract to the works of the flesh, which any individual is capable of performing, the fruit of the Spirit can be produced on by God. The Christians character thus results from "Christ living within us." For this fruit to develop, all nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit must mature. The character of Christ is the fullest manifestation of this fruit in the New Testament. Though Jesus did not recognize the traditions of men, His enemies were unable to prove any charges against Him. We as Christians today should allow the Holy Spirit to develop this character within us. so that we might be blameless before others and not hinder the testimony of Christ. Praise God for the life changing experience that we have through the Holy Spirit.
Today's Hymn: "Love Lifted Me"
All my heart to Him I'll give, ever to Him I'll cling
In His Blessed presence live, ever His praises sing
Love so mighty and so true, merits my souls best songs;
Faithful, Loving, Service too, to Him belong
Love Lifted me! (even me), Love Lifted Me! (even me)
When nothing else could help, Love Lifted Me!
Heaven Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are for the fruits of the Spirit. Holy Spirit help us to grow and mature into the fruits of the Spirit so that we will be more like Christ, and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. May we daily study Your Holy Word that we might hide Your Words in our hearts that we might not sin against Thee. How thankful we are Father that we as Christians have been spiritually crucified with Christ and no longer have to follwo the values or desires of this world. Help us Lord to keep our daily focus on You, and the leading of the Holy Spirit that we much bear much fruit for the Kingom of God. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "Walking each moment by faith in God's word, under the Spirit's control assures absolute victory over the desires of our sinful nature."
Cink on the link at www.cindidavis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading which is Titled: "Introduction Into the Book Of Isaiah."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led 2012. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Also Pray for the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayers of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
